Possession of stolen property
On March 25, a 39-year-old Katlehong resident was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on a charge of possession of stolen property.
He pleaded guilty and was found guilty on March 8. On June 10, 2020, Lucky Vincent Mabunda was found in possession of a Polo GTI, for which he was unable to give a reasonable explanation for his possession of and was unable to provide a reasonable explanation for the suspicion the car had been stolen.
Magistrate Harichand presided and prosecutor Mbonani represented the State.
House break-in
On March 15, Nomathemba Bantwini (31) from Dobsonville was sentenced to an effective seven years behind bars on two charges of house break-in with the intent to steal and theft and house break-in with the intent to commit a crime.
Upon her arrest on August 4, it appeared that her real name is Nomsa Mkhize. On the second day of the trail (May 6, 2015), Bantwini was absent, bail was provisionally cancelled and the matter was postponed until May 20, 2015. She then arrived at court at 12:00. The matter was recalled, the warrant was cancelled and a new trial date was set for May 14, 2015. She did not return to court on May 14, 2015. She was tracked down six years later and rearrested on August 4, 2021. She pleaded not guilty on May 5, 2015, and was found guilty on both counts on March 15.
Count one (house break-in with the intent to steal and theft): On November 11, 2013, Bantwini broke open a unit in Ravenswood Mews and stole jewellery and cash to the value of R700 000. Her fingerprints were found on the outside surface of the jewellery box found in a plastic container in the bedroom of the first unit.
Count two (house break-in with the intent to commit a crime unknown to the state): On September 13, 2014, Bantwini broke open a unit in Ravenswood Mews.
She has previous convictions for house break-in in Midrand in 2014 and in Sebenza in 2015, and for house break-in with the intent to steal and theft.
She was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on count one and five years’ imprisonment on count two.
The court ordered that the sentence for the second charge run concurrently with the sentencing on the first charge.
Magistrate Ramufhufhi presided and prosecutor Mooiman represented the State.
Theft and shoplifting
On March 25, Thabiso Mkhwanazi (32) and Dumisami Ndlovu (36) from Johannesburg were both sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for theft. They pleaded guilty and were found guilty on March 25.
On March 8, they stole five pairs of earrings from Game to the value of R1 850.
Mkhwanzai has eight previous convictions for theft (throughout Gauteng) and Ndlovu has nine previous convictions (throughout Gauteng and Makadu).
Magistrate Havenga presided and prosecutor Lingane represented the State.
• On March 17, Patrick Ndluli (38) from Jerusalem informal settlement was sentenced to a R1 500 fine or three months in prison on a theft charge. He pleaded guilty and was found guilty on March 16.
On January 16, the accused stole groceries to the value of R326.60 from Boxer. He has one previous conviction of theft.
Magistrate Mqambeli presided and prosecutor Khalishwayo represented the State.
• On March 15, Lora Manda (24) from Boksburg CBD was sentenced to a R300 fine or three months’ imprisonment on a shoplifting charge.
On February 10, she stole body cream, cologne and a hand sanitiser from Clicks to the value of R118.97.
Magistrate Mqambeli presided and prosecutor Khalishwayo represented the State.
Also Read: Court in Brief
Also Read: Court in Brief
